Put safety above all else, TYT reminds all Sarawak Regatta participants

KUCHING (Oct 29): The safety measures for all participants of the Sarawak Regatta must be emphasised and given utmost importance.

In making this call, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar underlines the importance of ensuring the presence of safety escorts and also proper monitoring by the authorities throughout the training and race activities so as to prevent any unfortunate incident from reoccurring.

The Head of State said this in a statement issued by Astana Negeri today.

In the same statement, Wan Junaidi and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi expressed their heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims involved in the recent boat tragedy during a training session for Sarawak Regatta.

“We are saddened over the loss of lives in the tragedy.

“Nonetheless, we also express our appreciation to the rescue teams and the authorities involved for their efforts in handling this situation.”

Five rowers died after their boat capsized during a training session for the Sarawak Regatta on Oct 18.

The bodies were recovered on Oct 20,  near the Kuching Barrage approximately 2.5km from the area where the boat had capsized.

This year’s Sarawak Regatta will kick off this Friday, with the main event, ‘Raja Sungai’, to be held on Sunday.